Test Details

Mnemonic

RPCR

Ordering Code

3092300

CPT-4 Code(s)

87498 (Enterovirus), 87502 (Influenza A & B), 87631 (Parainfluenza 1-3), 87634 (RSV), 87798 x 2 (Adenovirus; Rhinovirus)

Specimen Information

Collect

Variable specimen types

Specimen Preparation

Specimen source required
NP and Throat swabs in viral transport medium. Swabs in culturettees must be transferred to viral transport within 24 hours of collection.
Bronchoalveolar lavage/wash in an IATA-approved sterile screw capped plastic container. 1.0 mL (0.5 mL minimum).
Sputum undiluted in an IATA-approved sterile screw capped plastic container. 1.0 mL (0.5 mL minimum).
Nasal aspirates in vacuum trap. 1.0 mL (0.5 mL minimum).
Nasal washes in an IATA-approved sterile screw capped plastic container 1.0 mL (0.5 mL minimum).

Alternate Specimen

The Laboratory Director or Supervisor must approve testing of specimens other than those listed.

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Rejection Criteria

Specimens in Amplicor, EIA, Gen-Probe, or ProbeTec transport media.
Specimens in bacteriological blood culture media. Dry swabs, calcium alginate swabs, and swabs in gel transports.
Culturettes older than 24 hours.
Specimens received in non-sterile or leaking containers.
Whole blood
Serum
Plasma

Stability

Room temperature: 3 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C): 14 days
Frozen (-20°C): 14 days
Frozen (-70°C): 3 months

Methodology

This procedure detects the presence of adenovirus, influenza A, influenza B, parainfluenza virus 1, parainfluenza virus 2, parainfluenza virus 3, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, and enterovirus using real-time PCR or reverse- transcriptase PCR. The nucleic acid targets for the individual PCR tests include the adenovirus hexon protein gene, the matrix gene from influenza A virus, the NS1 gene from influenza B, the HN genes of parainfluenza 1, 2, and 3, the RSV RNA polymerase gene, the 5' untranslated regions of rhinovirus, and the 94-base portion of the 5' untranslated region of the enteroviral genome.
The rhinovirus test will detect most, bot not all of the >200 rhinovirus types. The analytical senstivity of an individual test is 100-200 copies/mL. A negative result does not rule out infection.
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Reference Range

Influenza A: Negative
Influenza B: Negative
RSV: Negative
Adenovirus: Negative
Rhinovirus: Negative
Parainfluenza 1: Negative
Parainfluenza 2: Negative
Parainfluenza 3: Negative
Enterovirus: Negative
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Performing Laboratory

Warde Medical Laboratory
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